Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday said that any solution to the Kashmir issue could be found only after keeping the wishes of people of all the three regions - Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh - in mind.

In his Republic Day address, the first ever in his political career, Azad emphasised that his government would strive to bring in peace in the state so that the state was seen once again as 'paradise on earth.'

"Our state government is giving the Centre its fullest support for the success of these efforts and positive results have begun to emerge. The need of the hour is that a solution for the issue be found that keeps in view the hopes and aspirations, emotions and feelings of the people of all the three regions - Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh," Azad said.

"The resolution of the issue should not only satisfy the people of these three regions, it should also be acceptable to them all. That is because the state is an entity that comprises of all three regions and no region can be apart from the other. Nor the people of any region or area can be ignored," Azad said.

The chief minister said that militancy had affected the state in every manner.

"Our state was the leader in the field of development. However, today, because of militancy, we have slid back 20 years when we compare ourselves with other states. All of us will have to pull ourselves out of this morass so that the state once again enjoy an atmosphere of peace and harmony," Azad said, asking people to join in his government's efforts to eradicate militancy.